welcome to Press Club
Press Club is this amazingly stylish wine tasting bar in the heart of downtown San Francisco. We recently went on a Friday evening to celebrate the birthday of our long-time friend, Fernando. Happy B-day, man!
Actually, we’d gone to look at Press Club before, but only in the afternoon. Then it seemed completely dead. Friday after five was sure different. Not only is this place stylish, it is also trendy. Who knew?
The idea behind Press Club is to provide customers with a Northern California wine tasting experience right here in town. They have six wineries represented. We tried wines from the famous Château Montelena last time. Right now the other five are: Fritz, Hanna, Miner Family Vineyards, Mount Eden and Saintsbury. Each winery has its own tasting bar staffed by its own representative. In addition, there is another bar area with PC staff. There is a reasonably priced, though limited, menu for bar snacks available as well. Their location is excellent. Right across the way from Amber India, they’re near the Contemporary Jewish Museum, Market Street, the Metreon and only a block away from the new Westfield. You couldn’t dream of a better spot.
This is a super idea. Of course, the downside is that these wineries are all premium, with premium prices to match. Nevertheless, it is really cool to chat with someone very informed about the wines at hand. Plus, I do get it: seeing six wineries in one place (and if you happen to be lodging at the Four Seasons, right in your very own hotel building) is handy.
fun Press Club lighting
Press Club entrance is just south of Market Street in the Four Seasons building
Press Club downstairs
Press Club really is like a Napa wine tasting excursion
The night that we were there it was crowded with an exciting buzz going on. It looked like a lot of twenty- and thirty-somethings in chic work/evening clothes socializing and blowing off steam. I liked it.
Press Club itself has a great contemporary look. Our friend, John, complained about the fact that the wine bars are mostly underground in a windowless basement. That didn’t bother me so much as the space is very large and open with well thought out lighting and a pared-down design that did not say “warehouse” one bit. Rather it sexily purred, “See you back real soon.”
happy birthday, Fernando!!!